Effects of CD19 CAR T Cell Therapy on Quality of Life and Direct Healthcare Costs in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Preliminary Analysis

Taubmann J, Hagen M, Müller F, Wirsching A, Temiz A, Völkl S, Aigner M, Grieshaber-Bouyer R, Mackensen A, Schett G (2026)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Book Volume: 53

Pages Range: 33-37

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2024-1301

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) require long-term treatment and experience reduced quality of life (QOL). CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy can achieve sustained drug-free remission in patients with SLE. The impact of CAR T cell therapy on QOL and direct healthcare costs has not been evaluated. Here, we analyzed longitudinal QOL before and after CAR T cell therapy and performed an assessment of direct healthcare costs. METHODS: Physical and mental health were assessed using the standardized 36-item Short Form Health Survey before and 1 year after treatment. Annual direct healthcare costs were analyzed based on inpatient admissions, emergency department visits, outpatient visits, and prescription drug costs in the German healthcare service. RESULTS: A preliminary analysis was conducted on 8 patients with SLE (7 female, 1 male; age range 19-38 years) who received CAR T cell therapy and who were followed for > 2 years. CAR T cell therapy resulted in improvement in the QOL in all patients. The most notable improvement was observed in physical health (from 22.4% to 75.5%), although mental health also improved (from 24.7% to 63%). QOL values rose to the level of a healthy comparison cohort. Additionally, CAR T cell therapy led to a substantial decrease in annual direct healthcare costs from €29,672/year (US $34,353/year) to €3094/year ($3582/year) after treatment. CONCLUSION: In addition to clinical efficacy, in this preliminary cohort, CD19 CAR T cell treatment improves QOL in patients with SLE and may substantially reduce the direct socioeconomic burden associated with active disease by > 90%.

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How to cite

APA:

Taubmann, J., Hagen, M., Müller, F., Wirsching, A., Temiz, A., Völkl, S.,... Schett, G. (2026). Effects of CD19 CAR T Cell Therapy on Quality of Life and Direct Healthcare Costs in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Preliminary Analysis. Journal of Rheumatology, 53(1), 33-37. https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.2024-1301

MLA:

Taubmann, Jule, et al. "Effects of CD19 CAR T Cell Therapy on Quality of Life and Direct Healthcare Costs in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Preliminary Analysis." Journal of Rheumatology 53.1 (2026): 33-37.

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